Hedging Expressions in English and Persian MA and PhD Theses: The Case of Iranian Learners

Abstract

The use of hedging expressions is one of the important issues in academic writing. This research investigated the type and frequency of hedging expressions used in English MA and Persian MA theses written by the Iranian students, together with the type and frequency of hedging expressions used in English PhD theses and Persian PhD theses written by the Iranian students. For this purpose, a total number of 48 theses were selected. The subjects of the theses were near to each other. Varttala's (2001) model for hedges was used; The results of this study showed some categories of hedges were used more than the other groups. Moreover, the total number of hedges was significantly higher in English MA theses in comparison to Persian MA theses, however, for different categories of hedges used in MA English and Persian theses and PhD English and Persian theses the observed differences were not statistically significant.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p2339